NATIONAL AG WEEK
MARCH 15-21, 2026
Together We Grow: Celebrating 250 Years of American Agriculture
Public and land-grant universities across the nation champion agriculture every day through their research, education, and Extension.
This National Ag Week, we celebrate 250 years of American agricultural innovation and express our gratitude for the farmers, ranchers, and producers who feed, fuel, and clothe our nation.
For more than 160 years, America’s land‑grant universities have driven this legacy forward, creating the nationwide framework that supports agricultural teaching, research, and Extension today.
Working collectively, these universities increase U.S. farmers and ranchers’ profitability; expand markets for U.S. agricultural products; protect agriculture from invasive species, restore land productivity; and improve human health. By integrating its research, education, and Extension missions, land-grant institutions fuel innovation, develop a highly skilled workforce, and deliver practical and cost-effective solutions to communities nationwide.
Together, they are a transformative catalyst for resilience, progress, and a more prosperous future.
Research and Extension programs are driving major gains in agricultural productivity and profitability by improving pest and disease management, crop selection, and soil health, saving farmers millions through reduced losses, lower input costs, and higher yields.
Innovations in precision agriculture, automation, and animal health are increasing efficiency, cutting labor needs, and strengthening resilience while supporting high-quality food production. Together, these efforts also help farmers access new markets, recover from disasters, and adopt sustainable practices that ensure long-term economic and environmental success.
Necrotic enteritis (NE) is estimated to cost $6 billion in annual losses to the poultry industry, where it causes the death of cells and tissue in the bird’s intestinal lining. Scientists with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) have developed a novel rapid test for C. perfringens, the bacterium responsible for necrotic enteritis in poultry. The new test can be deployed onsite quickly and inexpensively and yields accurate, easy-to-interpret results using minimal equipment and simple methodology.
In the fight against the costly impacts of avian influenza, protecting poultry flocks from contact with wild birds is an important deterrent. However, the methods for effectively controlling wild birds are limited. In Georgia, researchers developed a novel method for detecting wild birds on farms, using night vision technology and artificial intelligence. The model was able to precisely track and identify the birds with 95% accuracy, providing a new way of developing strategies to prevent wild birds from transmitting highly contagious avian influenza to chicken and turkey flocks.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control suggests that agriculture is one of the most dangerous businesses in the United States. An estimated 160 agricultural workers are injured every day, resulting in more than 58,000 injuries a year. According to a 2019 USDA report, approximately 19% of farmers have a disability. Land-grant universities are providing training to reduce injuries, support behavioral health and enable producers to maintain safety and productivity through the use of assistive devices.
Military veterans across the Midwest are increasingly pursuing careers in agriculture, yet many lack access to training in production economics, enterprise budgeting and sustainable farm management, essential skills for making informed decisions.
In 2025, Michigan State University Extension partnered with organizations from Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois to support the Military Veteran Farming Conference, designed to provide veterans with practical tools to improve their agricultural enterprises.
Across the Land-grant University System, outreach and research-based work are critical to strengthening the health, safety and well-being of agricultural communities. By pairing scientific evidence with trusted Extension networks, land-grant universities address urgent challenges while improving quality of life nationwide.
The workforce is changing. Across industries and states, trained workers are in demand to support local food systems, meet community needs, ensure safety and increase productivity. Land-grant universities are rising to the challenge of meeting these needs through partnerships, trainings, certifications and hands-on learning opportunities that strengthen the agricultural workforce.
Sectors across the agricultural landscape need more educated and skilled workers to support our national and local food systems. 1890 land-grant universities offer different pathways to introduce students to career opportunities and prepare them for employment.
In 2020, the USDA indicated that 29% of all job openings in the agricultural industry require scientific and engineering expertise. But this demand for workers with STEM training surpasses the available supply of qualified candidates. Leading agriculture-based corporations indicate they cannot find suitable graduates with an agricultural background and scientific expertise. Land-grant universities are working together to enhance our workforce of qualified agricultural scientists.